Free An Ordinary Day by Trevor Corbett Page B

then smiled and felt herself relaxing. ‘Why?’ she asked.
    ‘Have you ever watched men and women at these functions? The way they play?’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘I mean the hunting, the preening, the posturing, the flirting. Everybody is acting, but the movie is never good.’
    Elhasomi smiled and extended her hand to the man.
    ‘Leila Elhasomi.’
    The man took her hand and looked into her face for the first time. ‘Ben Salem. Pleased to meet you.’
    Elhasomi smiled flirtatiously. ‘Were you observing me ?’
    The man nodded. ‘I was, but only from a scientific point of view. You’re a good subject.’
    ‘I will take that as a compliment.’
    ‘I’ve been watching these pretentious idiots all night. I’ve seen how they act around the pretty girls.’
    ‘Do you think I am pretty?’
    Salem looked at her. ‘Yes.’
    ‘So … Are you acting now, or is this understated, shy man the real you?’
    ‘You can decide.’
    ‘I think you are security. Diplomats talk and mix. You are not mixing, networking. Why?’
    ‘I only get invited to these functions because of the business I’m in.’
    ‘And what business would that be, Mr Salem?’
    ‘Wine.’
    Elhasomi frowned and then smiled. ‘Wine?’
    ‘I import fine wine. What better way to impress your friends and pursue your country’s interests than over a glass of fine wine?’
    ‘And what makes wine so fascinating? It is just old grapes, isn’t it?’
    The man smiled and the smile was warm and sincere. ‘Wine reminds us of God’s greatest gift to mankind: women.’
    ‘You are a philosopher too?’
    ‘Take this Merlot, for instance, which I could equate to you. At first, intriguing and complex. And then, after a while on your palate, rewarding and generous in its flavours.’
    ‘The same pick-up line you no doubt use on all the women you meet?’
    ‘You asked a question and I answered it honestly.’
    ‘You know nothing of me, Mr Salem, because if you did you would know that I am not rewarding or generous. And I am unlikely to be on your palate any time soon.’
    ‘And you know nothing of me,’ Salem replied. ‘Otherwise you’d know I don’t pick up women at diplomatic functions.’
    ‘Is that so?’
    ‘They all have hidden agendas; they are either spies or desperate wives of diplomats who are away from home too much.’
    ‘So which one am I?’
    Salem glanced at his watch. ‘I don’t see a wedding ring on your finger, so I assume you’re a spy. I must go. I never stay long at these things.’
    Elhasomi momentarily looked over her shoulder. ‘You are the most hated man in this room right now.’
    Salem smiled and nodded. ‘They can hate me, as long as they drink my wine. Most of these people I will never see again anyway. Probably you too.’
    ‘Probably,’ Elhasomi said. ‘I do not drink wine.’
    ‘Let me guess. You’re Muslim. Probably from Egypt?’
    ‘Close. Libya.’
    ‘Libya.’
    ‘Alcohol is banned in my country, so you would not want to open a branch there. I am involved in tourism.’
    ‘I didn’t know Libya was a tourist destination.’
    ‘It is an emerging tourism destination. I am marketing our country at every opportunity. Malta is a good launch pad for the campaign: relations are good, it is close and it is central. That is why I am here.’
    ‘Okay. Sounds like a hard job.’ Salem looked around as he heard the sound of a glass breaking followed by loud laughter. ‘You know, I’ve seen presidents and kings and ambassadors drinking themselves into a frenzy until four in the morning, and then going to world summits and making decisions about wars.’
    ‘Decisions on foreign policies which affect people’s lives, I know. I also thought about that. But you are providing the alcohol. You are part of the problem.’
    ‘Then we both have hard jobs. Will you excuse me, I’ve had enough of this function, and I’m calling it a night. Nice meeting you, Miss Elhasomi.’
    Elhasomi put her hand on Salem’s arm.